Page 21 - Uttarakhand

U'khand govt approves new excise policy, sets revenue target of Rs 4,440 cr

The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday approved the state's new excise policy setting a revenue target of Rs 4,440 crore for 2024-25. The target for the next fiscal set by the cabinet is 11 per cent more than that of the current financial year (2023-24) which stood at Rs 4000 crore. The decision to approve the new excise policy was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi told reporters. The new excise policy will boost the state's revenue by high quality, aromatic liquor production using the Himalayan state's rich herbal and floral wealth, the fruits grown here and its multiple water resources, she said. It will also enhance the income of farmers in the state, the chief secretary said. It makes provision for a micro distillation unit in the hills to promote innovation and investment in the field in hilly areas, she said. The new policy makes provisions for the first time for the bottling of foreign liqu

Issue should not be politicised: MoS Ajay Bhatt on Haldwani violence

Several countrymade weapons and live rounds were recovered from those arrested, police said

Highlights of the day Mizoram CM to present state budget on Feb 27

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Haldwani violence: Police lifts internet suspension in affected areas

Five people were killed in the violence that erupted after the anti-encroachment drive on Thursday, following which a curfew was imposed in the area

Haldwani violence: Govt writes to MHA, seeks additional paramilitary forces

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nainital PN Meena also said three cases were registered in which 19 people have been named

Haldwani violence: Probe ordered, curfew lifted from outer areas of town

A magisterial probe was ordered on Saturday into the February 8 riots after the demolition of an "illegal" madrassa in Haldwani, while curfew was lifted from the outer areas of town but remained in force in Banbhoolpura, the epicentre of the mob violence. Police said they have begun a search for Abdul Malik who had built the structure. Internet services remained suspended in the town to prevent rumours from spreading through social media platforms. Police patrolled the affected areas as streets wore a deserted look and shops and schools remained shut. Three FIRs have been registered and five persons arrested so far in connection with the violence, Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena said at a press conference here. "The police have begun a search for an accused named Abdul Malik who had built the now razed illegal structure and opposed its demolition most strongly," the SSP said. CCTV footage and video clips of the incidents of Thursday collected from different

Violence over madrasa demolition: Curfew lifted in outer areas of Haldwani

Curfew has been lifted from the outer areas of this violence-hit Uttarakhand town, but it remains in force in the Banbhoolpura area that witnessed arson and vandalism by a mob over the demolition of an illegally-built madrasa on Thursday. Shops on the outskirts of the town opened on Saturday but schools remain closed. "Patrolling is continuously being done in the affected area and the situation is under control," Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Law and Order, A P Anshuman, who is camping in Haldwani, told PTI Videos. Five people involved in Thursday's violence have so far been arrested and three FIRs registered, the officer said. Internet services continue to be suspended to prevent rumours from spreading through social media platforms. However, the residents of the Banbhoolpura area, where the curfew is still in force, are being allowed to buy essentials from time to time, the ADG said. The movement of trains up to Kathgodam has also been resumed, he added. No fres

Haldwani violence: Over 250 injured, Uttarakhand on alert. What we know so far

In a tragic escalation of violence in Uttarakhand's Haldwani, the demolition of an illegal madrasa and an adjoining mosque has resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 250 others.

Haldwani violence a 'conspiracy,' requires strict action, say BJP MPs

BJP MPs on Friday said the violence in Uttarakhand's Haldwani appeared to be a "conspiracy" strict action must be taken against the guilty, with Rajya Sabha MP Harnath Yadav demanding a "shoot at sight" order against rioters. Asked about the Thursday violence, Yadav, a Rajya Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh, said, "The incident in Haldwani is a conspiracy. Bombs, country pistols, and other weapons were used, and government officials and police were attacked. There should be an order to shoot rioters at sight... There is no need to be lenient with them." He said the Uttarakhand government should "search every house," and take action against the perpetrators. Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal termed the razing of the madrasa a just move. "Removing encroachment is right. Even on the mountains they have made 'mazars' (shrines)..." he said. He added, "Violence cannot be tolerated. Their ring leaders who planned it should be jailed under National Security Act and the Uttarakhand government will defini

Uttarakhand mosque, madrasa demolition: Understanding Nazul & Waqf lands

Nazul land belongs to the state, Waqf land constitutes properties permanently dedicated for religious purposes under Muslim law

Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code Bill Explained

Pushkar Singh Dhami-led govt has tabled the Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024 in Uttarakhand's legislative assembly. Here's what UCC aims to do

Haldwani violence: Attack was pre-planned, says Nainital DM. 10 points

Haldwani violence: Major violence broke out in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area following an anti-encroachment drive on Thursday, leaving scores of people injured in the incident

60 injured, curfew imposed in Uttarakhand's Haldwani after violence

Curfew was imposed here Thursday after local residents set vehicles on fire and hurled stones, injuring at least 60 people, over the demolition of an illegally built madrasa. Police said most of the around 60 people hospitalised after the violence in the city's Banbhoolpura area were police personnel and municipal workers involved in the demolition of a local madrasa. Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Mena said a notice was served earlier on the madrasa constructed illegally on government land. A large number of local people gathered to resist the demolition team when it arrived, escorted by policemen. As a bulldozer razed the madrasa, mobs pelted stones at policemen and set fire to vehicles. Additional force was summoned to the area, police said. In state capital Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushcart Singh Dhabi summoned a meeting of senior officials. A curfew was announced in the entire Halwani city. SSP Mena said the demolition was carried out in the presence of Municipal .

Uttarakhand Assembly passes Uniform Civil Code Bill during special session

The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill, which may serve as template for other BJP-run states to enact similar legislation. The Bill was introduced in the assembly a day earlier and the opposition had suggested that it should be sent to a select committee of the House first. Once the Bill gets the governor's consent, Uttarakhand will become the first state after independence to get a common law on marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

'Nothing but a Hindu code for all': Owaisi slams Uniform Civil Code

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that the Union Civil Code Bill forces Muslims to follow the culture of other religions

UCC bill to be referred to select committee: Oppn in U'khand Assembly

The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday resumed the discussion on the Uniform Civil Code bill with the opposition Congress members moving a proposal to refer the legislation to a select committee of the House. Opposition legislators said they are not opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill but its provisions need to be examined in detail so that its flaws could be removed before its passage. Restarting the debate in the House, Congress member from Kichcha, Tilak Raj Behar, said Article 44 of the Constitution which is the basis of the bill talks about the UCC in the context of the whole country and not just one state. "We are not opposing the bill or its passage, but it should be referred to a select committee of the House before it is passed," he said. Pointing out a contradiction in the bill, Congress MLA from Jaspur, Adesh Singh Chauhan, said the bill leaves the tribal population out of its ambit but at the same time states that it will apply to the whole of the state. "If it .

ED conducts raids against Harak Singh Rawat in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches against Congress leader and former minister Harak Singh Rawat as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. The searches were carried out at multiple premises in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chandigarh, they said. Rawat had quit the BJP ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand assembly polls and joined the Congress. The ED investigation is understood to be linked to alleged illegal activities in the state's Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Highlights of the day: Budget session to be extended by a day till Feb 10

Updates: From CM Dhami tabling the UCC Bill in the Uttarakhand assembly to the devastating wildfires in Chile, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Uttarakhand saw sharpest dip in workforce during Covid, says survey

This was followed by the decline in workforce in the states such as Jharkhand (-8.9 per cent), West Bengal (-8.3 per cent), Kerala (- 8 per cent) and Karnataka (-7.8 per cent)

Uttarakhand's UCC Bill: Live-in couples must register or face jail term

Any child born of such a relationship shall be considered legitimate